Page 24 of A New Year Baby

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

“Honey, who is that on the phone?” my father asks. “Is that the DJ for the wedding? Tell Javier that I don’t want no dirty hip hop music played at my little girl’s wedding. Slow, romantic songs only.”

I should also probably get home to remind my father of who I am.

It seems like he’s forgotten me entirely—and he wouldn’t have even noticed if I was kidnapped and killed.

“Wait a second,” my father says, as a brief flash of recognition touches his eyes. “Is thatJack, honey? Our little Jack?”

“Yes! Yes, darling, you remember!” my mother says happily.

“Doctor Jack Frost,” my father says slowly. Proudly.

“Hey, Dad,” I say, and the tears come back to my eyes. “I missed you so much.”

My father squints. “Well, young man. There’s something I needed to tell you—I can’t remember what it is. Oh, yes. Can you book me in for a teeth cleaning sometime soon? I think I’ve got a piece of broccoli just stuck deep in there, and I can’t get it out. I’ve tried and I’ve tried. You’re the best dental hygienist I’ve ever known, Jeffrey.”

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